What Woodworkiing fans are doing for a living and how much they make to be able to afford it ?

[RiadhWooder]

Hello Guys,

I've been wondering about how we, you,  dear amazing reader, as a woodworking fan, ( Having it as a Hobby/Passion..) ,

what are doing for a living, and kind of, if you don't mind/wanted to share, how much would you make per year, to be able to afford it, 

to buy the required tools, the lumber, all of the required thing that would let a project be successfully done

 

[Coop]

I think you will find that your answer will run the gamut from lawyers and doctors to peons like myself that retired from the fire and safety business. I bought what I thought were the basic tools needed for the project(s) I wanted to build and saved to upgrade when necessary and add to the arsenal for the next project. It also depends on what your other hobbies and priorities are as to how much you can allocate to woodworking. 

[Beechwood Chip]

Just as many people replied that "space" is a major frustration in a woodworking hobby, I think the biggest financial drain from woodworking is finding the space for it.  I moved from a nice apartment to a run-down house, and a big motivator was so that I could set up a woodworking shop in the basement.  Other than that, you can be a very productive hobbyist woodworker with under $1000 in tools, at least according to Steve Ramsey.

(The first time I used a router on MDF in my living room, I said, "I either need to give up woodworking or find some dedicated shop space.)

 

[Coop]

On 4/28/2024 at 8:40 PM, Beechwood Chip said:

(The first time I used a router on MDF in my living room, I said, "I either need to give up woodworking or find some dedicated shop space.)

 

Yep, add understanding spouse or non at all, regardless of income, to your decision. 

[wtnhighlander]

A large portion of my tool kit is inherited, gifted, or purchased used. Consumables aside, I have far less than $5k invested in my shop, and that accrued over a couple of decades. I have, at times, offset the cost of my hobby by actually selling some of my product, but I don't suggest that as a means to really drive the hobby. Makes it seem too much like work.

[William R]

I started out many years ago. I had no tools or skill. Tried to make a simple box using a hand miter jig working for what seemed like days to get It just right. When it was done.  It looked like a box someone would have made in kindergarten. But I was hooked. I bought a 100.00 dollar table saw and a small drill press. I lived in an apartment with my gf and sister her brother and mother. My table saw was actually our kitchen table had a piece of plywood on it when not in use and my drill press set on an end table. I can remember mother in law using the light on it to read books with. Many years later I’m not much better but my wife and I had a shop built on our property it’s 24x30 and I  work part time as a diesel mechanic 3days a week thinking some day I can go full time as a woodworker but the truth is I’ll probably just stay as is I have to many other hobbies it just tie it down to one.  

[legenddc]

I believe I'm still around $3k in tools and accessories over 10ish years. Maybe $4-5k if you add in router bits, consumables and other little things. 

My rough calculation puts that $3k number at the equivalent of golfing 6x a year for 10 years. That doesn't include clubs, balls, drinks, etc.

Chestnut mentioned once about creating a spreadsheet and adding up what you've made and a cost to replace it with something of similar quality. I can't say I've kept good track of the cost to build things but the estimated replacement cost is over $12k with what I've added to the sheet. I haven't made all that much yet as I have a full time job and 2 kids under 10.

I've also made at least $1k after expenses selling some projects.

[BillyJack]

This all depends on if you are a furniture maker, cabinet maker, etc.There are categories of woodworkers.